The forest sector in the Russian Federation needs to be modernized using innovations and breakthrough technologies to maximize its potential as a global mitigator of climate change and an important source of timber, according to a new study presented today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of the Russian Federation.

FAO Director-General Jose'Graziano da Silva underlines the importance of forestry in overall sustainable at the opening of FAO's Committee on Forestry. The nexus between forestry and sustainable development was one of the cross-cutting issues considered at the Rio+20 Conference in June.

Rural farmers in Swaziland are starting to reap the fruits of a comprehensive effort by the government and FAO with support of the European Union to reverse the country’s declining agricultural productivity.

Better international coordination and increased information exchange are helping to ease tight markets, French President François Hollande and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva agreed during discussions in Paris. Graziano da Silva said France shares the position of FAO and the UN that "we are not in a food price crisis, but we need to remain vigilant."

The "Asian Football against Hunger" campaign is returning to stadiums across the continent for the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC's) Champions League knockout stage matches. Football fans will be urged to unite in a bid to foster support for people suffering from hunger.

Argentina will export an additional 2.75 million tonnes of maize from its 2011/12 crop, and set aside 15 million tons of maize and 5 million tons of wheat for export for the 2012/13 season. Argentine Minister of Agriculture Norberto Yauhar confirmed the figures today during a meeting with FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva has met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian Church, as part of an ongoing effort to enlist the world's major religions more closely in the fight against hunger. Patriarch Bartholomew is "very receptive" to the Director-General's invitation to play an increased role in efforts against hunger.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agree that currently high international food prices do not amount to a crisis but that continued vigilance is needed given existing tight markets.